Science

Here at St George’s, we are committed to providing a high quality science education for all pupils. We place a huge emphasis on the development of pupils’ skills in working scientifically. In our science lessons, the skills for working scientifically are taught alongside the scientific content outlined in the National Curriculum.

We encourage enquiring minds and focus on developing the children’s independent scientific thinking. We believe science should be hands-on and fun and where possible integrated with other areas of the curriculum to give a rounded view of the world we live in.

How is Science taught at our school

We follow the Early Years Foundation Stage curriculum and with relation to science the focus is on ‘Knowledge and Understanding of the World’.

In KS1 and KS2, we follow the National Curriculum whilst also focussing on the key areas of working scientifically: ideas and evidence, planning, obtaining and presenting evidence, considering evidence and evaluating. Within each academic year, children will study a range of scientific topics.

We plan for exciting and stimulating science lessons, using a variety of resources. Pupils are assessed at the end of each topic and these results are used to inform future planning.

Cross curricular learning

Our aim is to teach science and integrate it with other areas of the curriculum. Children are taught how their mathematical calculation and statistical skills can be used to read, analyse and draw conclusions from their results. There are also regular opportunities for children to improve their literacy skills through reading, writing and spelling key vocabulary.

There are also numerous links made with other foundation subjects that are embedded across each science topic.

Science beyond the classroom

This year in year 5, we are participating in the Borough Stem project entitled ‘The Art of Engineering’. This is a child led enquiry, which requires children to work in small groups to create a solution to a real life problem. To help further inspire the children’s creations, we will host a Robotics workshop which our neighbouring school St Andrew’s will attend. A science fair will be held at St George’s to showcase the children’s creations. At the end of the year, we will enter some of our creations in a competition to be held at Chace Community secondary school.

We are happy to announce that the Happy Chick Company will be returning to St George’s. This provides an excellent opportunity for the children to learn and understand the concept of life cycles. Apart from the enjoyment of excitedly watching the eggs hatch, this experience provides all classes with opportunities for some cross curricular creative learning.

We are also pleased to announce that we have secured an outreach programme designed by the Science museum. Science experts from the museum, will visit our school and deliver a variety of workshops which will provide the children with an opportunity to learn science in an interesting and stimulating fashion.

Wherever possible, we plan educational visits which support and extend the children’s understanding of science in the real world. This year, as part of our study of space, year 5 are visiting the Royal Observatory Planetarium in Greenwich. Reception will also be visiting a farm to consolidate their learning of farm animals. As part of the year 6 educational study week to the Isle of Wight, children will be actively learning about rock formations and sand dunes.